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Why bother with politics? – Sanjeev Sabhlok

by · February 12, 2009

“Why bother with politics?”

I get asked this question often…and I cannot think of a more succinct response than the one penned by Sanjeev below. Continuing his series of posts…

*** Why bother with politics? by Sanjeev Sabhlok ***

Of the things we take for granted in our lives, politics must surely rank the highest.

Politics determines policy, and policy determines our lives.

It impacts whether our children will be around to look after us in our old age; whether we will be taken quickly to hospital after a hit-and-run road accident – indeed, whether there will be an emergency vehicle available at all or even whether a hospital will exist; whether we will find a job; whether we will find a house to live in; whether our street will have functioning drains; and so on.

Virtually everything in our lives is determined by politics, even how we respond to relentless terrorism.

We neglect politics only at great peril.

The difference between the life of citizens in genuinely free countries and in India boils down to the difference in the quality of politics in these countries.

It is therefore better to control politics than to let it control us.

Our actions today: whether we choose the politics of freedom, or connive with the politics of collectivism and corruption, will determine our future.

*** End ***

As many of you know, Sanjeev is one of the leading members of FTI. He can be contacted at sabhlok AT yahoo.com.

Related Posts:

How can anyone make a living from selling slices of coconut?!

Unbridled Capitalism? – Guest post by Sanjeev Sabhlok

What is Freedom? – by Sanjeev Sabhlok

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B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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5 Responses

  1. Kiran P says:
    February 13, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    People who don’t bother to take activist role in politics have forfeited the right to complain about it.

    How the UPA devalues democracy
    http://www.rediff.com/news/2009/feb/13guest-how-upa-devalues-democracy.htm

  2. ritesh says:
    February 17, 2009 at 1:19 am

    You may stop worrying about politics but Politics never stops worrying about you.

    “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (1729-97)

    Please check uniteindia.net (check pages at the right side of the site)

    Ritesh

  3. K. Harapriya says:
    February 23, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Here is a worrying article. Apparently most foreign observers of the Hindu movement and BJP’s political aspirations have concluded that any desire for a Hindu voice is Indian politics is truly defucnt now. It is only a matter of time India becomes a Christian nation–we will probably be blessed to see it in our lifetimes.

    http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisplayArticle.aspx?id=400

  4. imformeritocracy says:
    October 13, 2009 at 10:54 am

    No need to give a damn to politics. Give each and every dime to a leader/ organization who can bring change for good governance. RSS is the organization which can bring sea change.

  5. B Shantanu says:
    May 10, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    The Political Illiterate

    Bertolt Brecht
    “The worst illiterate is the political illiterate. He hears nothing, sees nothing, takes no part in political life. He doesn’t seem to know that the cost of living, the price of beans, of flour, of rent, of medicines all depend on political decisions. He even prides himself on his political ignorance, sticks out his chest and says he hates politics. He doesn’t know, the imbecile, that from his political non-participation comes the prostitute, the abandoned child, the robber and, worst of all, corrupt officials…”

    सबसे बड़ा अज्ञानी, राजनैतिक अज्ञानी है..यह अज्ञानी न कुछ सुनता है, न कुछ देखता है, न ही राजनैतिक जीवन में हिस्सा लेता है |
    उसे यह नहीं पता कि उसके आटे-दाल कि कीमत, उसके रोजमर्रा के खर्चे, मकान का किराया, दवाइयां – सब कुछ राजनीति व राजनीतिकी निर्णयों पर निर्भर करती है |
    यही नहीं, वह अपने राजनैतिक अज्ञान पर गर्वित होता है, और सीना फुला कर कहता है कि उसे राजनीति से चिढ है |
    उस मुर्ख को नहीं पता कि वह वेश्या, शिशु गृह के द्वार पर छोड़ा हुआ वह नवजात शिशु, वह चोर, और वह भ्रष्ट अधिकारी, यह सब उसकी इसी उदासीनता कि उपज हैं…
    Related Post Post: Why bother with Politics?